Stop Oily Skin This Summer

By Stephanie Tweito Jacob for Life & Beauty Weekly

Summer and warm weather bring countless seasonal delights: sundresses, ice-cream trucks and picnics, to name a few. Unfortunately, a few bummers usually tag along, including oily skin and melting make up.

Even if you usually have normal or dry skin, hot weather can mean shiny, oily complexions and make up that slip-slides away. “People perspire more in the summer due to the heat, which can give your skin that oily feeling,” says Joni Cuff, lead aesthetician at Calgary’s Riverside Spa. “They also often find more breakouts on the forehead area in the summer because of excess perspiration.”

Fortunately, you don’t need to set up camp in front of the AC to stay looking fresh. Follow these easy tips to keep shine and make up under control:

1. Lighten up your skin care.
With more moisture in the air, you don’t need as much on your skin. However, Cuff says moisturizer is still a must—just choose a lighter one. “People should never skip moisturizing; instead they should try to pick up a moisturizer that is lighter and hydrating,” says Cuff. “Find something that will work for your entire face.”

To prevent excess oil from clogging pores, you should use a more purifying cleanser in the evening, followed by a toner and moisturizer, says Cuff. “The oils you produce overnight are good for your skin, so using water in the morning is all you will need to cleanse (also a great way to conserve product),” says Cuff.  Just don’t overdo it. If your skin feels dry or tight, you may have stripped away all the natural oils, and your body could start compensating by producing more oil.

2. Adjust your make up routine.
As with skin care, a few simple tweaks can fight oily skin and deliver stay-put make up:

• Try primer. Primers are translucent, lightweight gels or lotions that deliver a smooth, matte canvas that make up adheres to better than it does to bare skin. Find an oil-free product that contains silicone or dimethicone, plus oil-absorbing particles. (Look for the term “mattifying.”) To apply, prepare your face by washing it with a make up cleanser or face wash. Apply moisturizer all over. Start applying your primer in the same manner as moisturizer (avoiding the eye area), and then let it settle for a few minutes, says Natalia Kiseleva, a Montreal-based make up artist who has worked for companies such as Bell Canada and Bombardier.
• Forget foundation. When the mercury rises, take a less-is-more approach. Since primer helps even out your skin tone, finish the job with a highly pigmented concealer versus an all-over, heavy foundation. Tap and blend it only in spots you need coverage—usually under the eyes, around your nose and on your chin.
• Bronze and blush. Bronzer and blush give skin a natural glow, and without it your make up will not look finished, says Kiseleva. “During the summer I recommend classic powder blush and bronzers. It’s important to choose powder products instead of ones with a cream base in the hot weather because the latter will melt and run a lot faster, and it will give you a little more shine than you already have,” says Kiseleva.

3. Touch up throughout the day.
In spite of your best efforts, skin may become a bit oily by midday. “Pick up excess shine by pressing a blotting tissue on oily spots to remove excess oil from your skin,” says Kiseleva, “and follow with a light dusting of translucent mineral powder.” If you don’t remove the oil first, the powder may look cakey or darker in the oiliest areas. For an easy-to-use, portable powder, choose a one-step package that holds the powder in the handle of the brush and dispenses it through the bristles.

If your concealer has migrated into fine lines, redistribute it with your fingers. Always wash and dry your hands first to avoid adding more oil or dirt to your face. Then, carefully glide and tap your finger under and around your eyes. Reset the make up with mineral powder, and you’ll be good to go!

Stephanie Tweito Jacob is a freelance writer who specializes in beauty, fashion and health. She has held editorial positions at Allure, More and O, The Oprah Magazine.